What Is Your Best Makeup Advice for a Beginner? A Deep Dive Into Makeup Essentials and Wisdom from a Pro
Hi, beauties! 💄
If you’re new to makeup and wondering where to start, this blog is just for you. As someone who’s spent over a decade experimenting, failing, learning, and finally mastering the art of makeup, I’ve learned one thing: makeup is not just about colors and brushes — it’s about confidence, creativity, and understanding your unique features.
In this post, I’ll walk you through everything I wish I had known as a beginner. Whether you’re 16 or 60, these beginner tips will help you build a solid foundation, avoid common mistakes, and fall in love with makeup as a form of self-expression — not pressure.
Let’s get started!
💡 1. Understand Your Skin First — It’s the Real Canvas
Before we even talk about foundations and highlighters, let’s talk skin. Why? Because makeup is only as good as the skin underneath.
Know Your Skin Type:
Your skin type determines what kind of products work best for you.
- Oily Skin: Go for oil-free, mattifying primers and foundations.
- Dry Skin: Hydrating formulas and cream-based products are your best friends.
- Combination Skin: You might need to use different products on different parts of your face.
- Sensitive Skin: Choose fragrance-free, hypoallergenic formulas.
📝 Pro Tip: Keep your skincare routine simple. Use a gentle cleanser, a good moisturizer, and sunscreen daily. Exfoliate once or twice a week.
Why It Matters:
If your skin is dry and flaky, foundation will cling. If your skin is too oily, your makeup might slide off. The better your skin is cared for, the less makeup you’ll actually need!
🧴 2. Invest in the Basics — Don’t Buy Everything at Once
You don’t need 100 products to start. In fact, I always tell beginners to start with 7 to 10 essentials:
The Beginner’s Makeup Kit:
- Primer – smooths your skin and helps makeup stay longer.
- Foundation/BB Cream – for even skin tone.
- Concealer – to cover dark circles or blemishes.
- Eyebrow pencil or powder – brows frame your face!
- Mascara – opens up your eyes instantly.
- Neutral eyeshadow palette – think browns, golds, soft pinks.
- Blush – adds life back to your face.
- Lipstick or lip tint – for color and hydration.
- Setting powder or spray – helps lock everything in place.
- Brushes & sponges – quality tools make a huge difference.
🎯 Pro Tip: Don’t splurge on everything. Drugstore brands like Maybelline, NYX, e.l.f., and Wet n Wild have fantastic beginner-friendly products.
Also read: 5 Viral Korean Skincare Ingredients You Already Have in Your Indian Kitchen
🎨 3. Learn the Order of Application — Layering Is Key
Ever seen makeup look cakey or patchy? That’s often because products weren’t applied in the right order.
A Simple Order to Follow:
- Cleanse, Moisturize & Prime
- Foundation
- Concealer (only where needed!)
- Set base with powder (especially under eyes and T-zone)
- Brows (define them naturally)
- Eyeshadow & Liner
- Mascara
- Blush, Contour & Highlighter (optional for beginners)
- Lip color
- Setting spray/powder
📝 Pro Tip: Always blend your products well — harsh lines can ruin your look. Invest time in learning how to blend seamlessly.
🧠 4. Less Is More — Don’t Pile It On
This is the single most important advice I give every beginner: Start with less and build up.
Many beginners try to replicate Instagram or YouTube glam looks, which are often heavy and made for cameras — not real life.
Here’s what to do instead:
- Use small amounts and build if needed.
- Skip contouring and baking in the beginning.
- Use a damp sponge for natural foundation blending.
- Use cream products if you want a more natural, dewy finish.
✨ Remember: Makeup should enhance your features, not hide them. Let your freckles, scars, and textures show — they make you you.
👁️ 5. Practice Eye Makeup — It’s the Trickiest Yet Most Fun
Eye makeup can be intimidating — but it’s also where you can be most creative!
Start with neutral shadows and practice blending. Learn your eye shape and what suits it:
- Hooded Eyes: Focus on crease definition and open up the lids.
- Monolids: Use gradient colors to add depth.
- Round Eyes: Winged eyeliner elongates beautifully.
🎯 Beginner-Friendly Tip: Start with a basic look — one matte shade in the crease and a shimmer on the lid. Blend it well. Add mascara and you’re good to go!
Also read: Does Hyaluronic Acid Increase Collagen?
💋 6. Lipstick Tricks You Should Know
Lipstick is often the first makeup product we try, and rightly so — it can change your whole vibe.
Here’s how to get it right:
- Exfoliate and moisturize lips regularly.
- Use a lip liner to define shape.
- For a fuller lip look, apply liner slightly outside your natural lip line and blend.
- Start with bullet lipsticks or tinted balms — easier to control than liquid mattes.
📝 Pro Tip: A rosy pink or mauve is universally flattering for most skin tones.
🖌️ 7. Tools Matter — Don’t Underestimate Brushes & Sponges
Good brushes make blending easier, and the right tools can elevate even basic products.
Must-Have Brushes for Beginners:
- Foundation brush or damp sponge (like the Beauty Blender)
- Fluffy powder brush
- Blush brush
- Eyeshadow blending brush
- Flat shader brush
Clean your brushes regularly (at least once a week). Dirty tools = bacteria + breakouts.
🎭 8. Master the Art of Color Matching
Ever bought a foundation that made you look orange or ghostly pale? We’ve all been there.
Steps to Find the Right Shade:
- Identify your undertone — warm (yellow/golden), cool (pink/blue), or neutral.
- Test foundation on your jawline, not your hand.
- Step outside and see how it looks in natural light.
Many brands now offer shade matching tools (like Fenty Beauty, MAC, and L’Oréal). Use those!
📝 Pro Tip: If in doubt, go slightly darker than lighter — you can always highlight, but light foundations can make you look ashy.
⏱️ 9. Be Patient — Skill Comes With Time
Nobody wakes up knowing how to do a cut crease or perfect winged liner. Even the best beauty bloggers took years to master it.
Start simple:
- Practice one new technique a week.
- Watch beginner-friendly tutorials (check creators like Allana Davison, Hindash, or Smitha Deepak).
- Take photos of your makeup to see how it looks on camera — it’s a great way to learn what works.
🎯 Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.
❤️ 10. Confidence Is the Best Makeup
At the end of the day, makeup is a tool — not a mask.
Use it to enhance your beauty, to play, to express, and to enjoy yourself. Some days you’ll mess up your eyeliner, and that’s okay. Some days your skin won’t cooperate, and that’s okay too.
Makeup should be fun, not stressful.
Final Thoughts: Build Your Signature Look
As you grow more confident, start building your go-to makeup routine. This could be:
- A fresh, dewy base with rosy lips
- Winged eyeliner with a nude lip
- Bronzed skin and bold brows
The goal isn’t perfection — it’s feeling good.
A Few Beginner-Friendly Brands to Explore:
- Drugstore: Maybelline, L’Oréal, NYX, e.l.f., Wet n Wild
- Mid-Range: MAC, Fenty Beauty, Rare Beauty, ColourPop
- Luxury: Charlotte Tilbury, NARS, Bobbi Brown
Remember, you don’t need expensive products — just the right techniques.
My Top 5 Beginner Mistakes to Avoid:
- Using too much foundation
- Skipping skin prep
- Wrong undertone match
- Overdrawing brows unnaturally
- Forgetting to blend (blend till your arms hurt!)
Ready to Begin?
Makeup is a journey. There will be wins, fails, and everything in between. The good news? You don’t have to get it perfect — you just have to get started.
So go grab that lipstick, blend that blush, and let yourself shine — not because you’re covered in makeup, but because you’re showing up as YOU.
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📌 Disclaimer
This content is for general informational purposes only and reflects personal opinions and professional experience in makeup. It is not a substitute for medical or dermatological advice. Always consider your individual skin needs and consult a licensed expert before using new products. The author is not responsible for any adverse reactions or outcomes from product use.